Stamp-affixer and envelop-sealer.



No. 891,702. PATENTED .TUNE 23, 1908.

F. L. JENNINGS. y I STAMP AFPIXERAND ENVELOP SEALER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1906.

3 SHEETS SHEET l.

No. 891,702. n PATENTEDUNE 23, 1908. F. L. JENNINGS.

STAMP APFIXER AND ENVELOP SEALER.

APPLICATION FILED/NOVl, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

nuantoz www@ 52 af@ o PATENTBD JUNE 23, 1908.

F. L. JENNING'S.

STAMP APPIXER AND ENVBLOP SEALER.

APPLICATIONv FILED NOV. 13, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

witnesses 0% L UNITED STATES PATENT onirica.

CHARLES` T. WRIGHT, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

STAMP-AFFIXER AND ENVELOP-SEALER.

Application led November 1 3, 1906. .Serial No. 343,280.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. JENNINGS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Stamp-Affiner and Envelop-Sealer, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to a new and useful stamp aflixer and envelop sealer and consists in providing positive means for feeding the stamp to its proper position and for cutting the same.

" It further consists of a novel moistener.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a stamp aflixer embodying my invention.V Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of a stamp aiiiXer with a portion broken away. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view on line mex Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of a reel employed. Fig- 5 represents an elevation of the stamp aflixer showing one side broken away. Fig. 6 represents a pers ective view of parts of the device in detac ed position. Fig. 7 represents a sectional view of a portion of the device showing the locking means.

In stamp aflixers it is essential that the stamps be positively fed to their` proper position and then cut and I have found in practice instamp aflixers heretofore made, that the stamps are not always fed'at the proper time. There is also objection by reason of the fact that in moistening either the stamp or the envelop in a large majority of cases is subjected to an excess of lthe moistening fluid with the consequent ill results.

In the drawings, I have shown mechanism for overcoming these defects but it will be evident that other instrumentalities may be employed which will accomplish the same results and which will come within the sco e of my invention and I do not therefore (fesire to be limited in every instance to the eX- act construction herein shown and described.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings. 1 designates the base for the stamp afiixer having the side 2 integral with or connected thereto in any desired manner, a suitable top 3 being connected therewith and a removable side 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented .Tune 23, 1908.

being attached in any convenient manner and from one end of said side 2 extends a circular flange 5, as best seen in Fig. 5.

6 designates a bar which is connected with the side 2 upon which is rotatably mounted a reel 7, said reel having the arms 8 projecting therefrom on one side, so that the strip of -stamps 9'shoWn in dotted lines Fig. 5, can be easily mounted upon said reel7.

10 designates a plate, cap or cover conforming to the flange 5 and which is adapted to be suitably connected or .locked in position after the stamps are mounted upon the reel 7 and the said reel is in position on the bar 6. In the present instance the plate is connected with the bar 6 by a pad-lock 11,

so that the removal of the stamps or insertion of the same can be controlled by oneperson if desired.

' 12 designates an inclined guide forming part of or carried by the base 1 and u on which the strip of stamps can rest as t ey leave, or are fed from the reel 7, said guide 12 serving to direct the stamps between the two rollers 13 and 14, the roller 13 of which is mounted upon a shaft 15 having a gear 16 at one end and a second gear 17 upon the opposite end which side 2, said gear 16 meshing with a gear 18 carried `by a shaft 19 upon which the roller 14 is sup orted, said shaft 19 being journaled in tide links or bars 20, which are connected with a rocking shaft 21, which latter is suitably journaled and has projecting upwardly therefrom the bar 22, which at a suitable point has connected therewith one end 'of the spring 23, the opposite end of which is connected with a stationary point in the will be seen that the upper roller 14 canhave a slight movement with respect to the roller 13, although the tension of the spring 23 normally tends to hold said rollers in close contact.

24 designates a gearing upon the exterior the casing which meshes with the gear 17 on the shaft 15, said gear 24 being mounted upon a shaft 25 and has a spur wheel 26 connected therewith. 27 designates a locking dog which is eccen` trically mounted, as atV 28, as best seen in Fig. 1, one end of said dog having a nose 29 adapted at the proper time to engage with the spurs 30 on the spur wheel 26, t e nor- 'FRANK L. JENNlNGS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF 'ONE-HALF T is situated exterior of the mal position of said dog 27, by reason of its mounting, being such that the nose 29 will be out of the path of movement or of engagement with the saidspurs 30.

' 31y designates a plunger removably mounted on the top 3 which is provided with a handle 32 and which has the slots 23 in its opposite sides and on the interior of which is mounted the spring` 34, the lower end of which bears against the pin or cross-piece 35 carried by the vboss 31X -on the, casing and said slots 33 passing the pin 35 when the plunger is moved.

Suitably connected with the plunger is a head 36 in the side of which are the grooves ,37 in which are seated guides 3S, one of which is carried by the side 2 and the other by the side 4, whereby it will be seen that said head is moved in a Upon the lower face of t e head is secured a resilientl pad 39 and at one side bf said head is mounted the knife 40 which reciprocates with said head 36 and projects below the i pad 39. In the base 1 is provided a recess or slot v41 which is adapted to receive said 'knife 40 when the plunger has reached its lowermost position and the pad 39 is contacting wit the stamp, in order to secure the stamp to the envelop.

42 designates a stationary knife which' is connected withv the base 1 in any desired manner and which is situated adjacent the slot 41, it being noted that the movable knife in its descent will shearthe stamp before it reaches said slot 41.

43 designates a bar connected with the i stationary knife and situated in line therewith, in order to prevent the knife 40 from assing: beyond its proper plane. Situated between the rollers 13 and 14 andthe knife 42, is a support 44, the upper surface of which is in substantially the saine horizontal plane as the upper edge of the knife 42, so that as the stamp passes from between the rollers 13 and 14, it will rest upon the said support 44 and the upper edge of the knife 42, in order that the same will be properly supported during the cutting action of the knives. Carried by the plunger-head 36 is a pivoted pawl 45 having a nose 46 projecting Ithrough and moving in a slot 47 in the side 2 of. the casing, it being seen that the normal position of said nose is such that it abuts .against the opposite end of the pawl 27,

from that upon which the nose 29 is situated,

and that the said dog 45 normally holds the said nose 29 in such position that it is in engagement with one=of the spurs 30 of the yspur wheel 36 thus preventing rotation of the same.

A suitable spring v48 normally holds the dog in the position best seen in Fig. 3, a pin or support 49 preventing improper movement of the dog 45 in a forward. direction.

As the\plunger head 36 is lowered, the

proper vertical line;

Y somos nose 46 of the do 45 is removed-from the pawl 27 the end o which at that tlme 1s not Asupported and the heavier end thereof is lowered which raises thedog 29 out of the path of the s ur 30 with which 'it'was in engagement; s the l JIplunger head 36 descends, the nose 46 o the dog 45 rides over the spur 30, which may be in its path, until the lowermost position of the head 1s reached, it being seen that Vthe pawl 45 is caused by its spring1 to assume its normal position as soon as t edog 45 has passed the spur 30. Y

When the plunger is released for its return upward movement the dog 45 will engage. with the spur 30, as best'seen in Fig. 6, and will carry the same with it and thus rotate the spur wheel 26 the required distance until the dog 45 releases the spur when the.

dog will again engage with the end of the pawl 27 and cause the nose 29 to engage with the proper spur 30, it belng understood that as t ie spur wheel 26 is rotated it will cause rotation of the gear 24, vwhich rotates the smaller gear 17, im arting a rotary motion to the rollers 13 an 14, advancing'the strip of stamps a sufficient distance to cause thel for returning the lever to itsvnormal position after being actuated. v

54 designates a pivotally mounted camcarried by the head 36 of the lunger which in its descent will contact-Wit the lever 52 in order to depress the samea sufficient amount to cause the indicator' 50 to register' the depression, and thus the use of a'stamp, ,j

said cam 54 riding the lever on its return movement in order not to actuate the same, whereby it will be seen that at each depresf sion of theplunger, at which time a stamp is used, an indication thereof Will bemade so that a record of the stamp used may be accurately and positively kept. f

55 designates a moistening device which is composed of a receptacle adapted to contain water or other fluid and which` is provided with the reduced neck 56 in which is mounted afsponge 57,' said'reduced neck being at the lowenfportion of the receptacle which is an air tignt compartment and to Awhich noair can enter, the sponge serving to absorb just a sufficient quantity of water or other iluid, in order to properly moisten the envelop, it

l,being seen that by -this means excessive moistening of the ,envelop is prevented,

since there is no possible way in which 'air can enter, as the only opening 1s in thebottom Samoa the closedsides and top thereof, andbut liti tle air can enter` the receptacle through the bottom opening since the sponge practically forms a stopper which, however, permits subsequent dispensing of the fluid from the same in a sufficient quantity, for purposes to be hereinafter described. I preferably form the receptacle with a fiat side 58 which is adapted to rest against the side 4 in the present instance and form a shoulder 59 which is adapted to rest upon a strap 60 connected with the side 4, which is of sufficient size to receive the reduced neck 56 of the receptacle. In order to close the envelop, I'provide the rollers 61 and 62 which are suitably mounted upon the side of the frame so that after the flap has been moistened by the sponge 57, the envelop can be passed between the roll- .ers 61 and 62- and properly sealed.

The operationis as follows I/Vhen the plunger is depressed the spring actuated cam 54.depresses the lever 52 in order to operate the indicator 50 vto register the use of another stam As soon as the cam 54 has passed the ever 52 the spring 53 returns to its normal When the plunger 31 vis started upon its downward. assage the dog 45 releases the pawl 27 anc the nose 29 thereof is removed from engagement with the spur 30. By the further downward movement of the plunger the knives 40 and 42 sever the stamp'and the pad 39 presses the same upon the envelop which has meanwhile been moistened by the sponge 57- and the stamp is iirmly attached to the envelop, it being noted that the movable knife 40 enters the recess 41 as already described. When the plunger is. released the spring 34 returns the same to its normal position and in its movementl upwardly the nose 46 of the dog 4 5 engages with one of the spurs 30 rotating the gear 24, which. rotates the gear 17 and shaft 15 on Awhich is mounted the gear 16, which meshes with the gear 18 and rotates the roller 14, the roller 13 being rotated with the shaft 15. This causes the rollers to feed another stamp into its proper position ready for cutting. After the dog 45 has passed the spur 30 with which it engages in order to rotate the gear 34, it will contact with the pawl 27 and will throw the dog 29 into engagement with another pawl` thus holding the parts in position. In order to reverse the stamps the lock 11 can be removed and the plate or cover 10 can be taken away in order that access to the roller 7 can be had. B these means a durable construction is prodyuced and the stamps position ready for the next action.

gagement with said arm, a p

. by said dog a reel upon which the strip of stamps is mounted, ay casing surrounding said reel,Y ya removable cap adapted to be locked in os'ition and servinff to reyent the stamps from leaving said reelz, a

p unger, a knife carried by sald plunger, a stationary knife with which `said movable knife is adapted to coact, and

means situated `between said reel and said knives which are adapted to be actuated by the movement of said plunger for feeding a stamp to its proper position with respect to said knives, in order that the said stamps can be severed from the strip. n

2g In a device of the character described, a caswing, ra reel adapted to be rotatably mounted in the casing, arms projecting from one side of said reel, a shaft journaled in the casing and having a gear at each end thereof, 1

a roller on said shaft, a second roller carried by a second shaft and normally situated 1n contact with said first mentioned roller, a

gear on the second mentioned roller shaft meshing with one of the gears on the first mentioned roller shaft, links upon which said second mentioned shaft is supported, a rocking shaft carrying said links, an arm lprojecting from said rocking shaft, a s ring ingenunger, and means between said plunger and whereby movement of said plunger actuates said rollers.

3. In a device of the character described, means for sup orting a strip of stamps, rollers between w suitably fed, a plunger having a ead, a knife carried by said head for cutting the stamps from the strip, a spring actuated dog carried by said plunger, a gear for actuating said rollers and having means which are engaged by said dog for actuating said gear and a pivoted pawl. for locking said gear and actuated for locking and releasing said gear.

means for supporting a strip of stamps, rollers between which said stamps pass and are fed to the knives, a plunger, a plunger head havin grooves therein, a knife carried by said p unger head, a sprin actuated dog carried ypsaid plunger and having a nose rojecting through a suitable slot in the casing, a gear adapted to actuate said rollers, means carried by said gear with which vsaid dog engages in order to rotate the same, and an eccentrically mounted pawl having a nose adapted .to engage with said gear for locking the same, and said spring actuated dog being ich said stamps ass and are*l said rollers 4. In a device of the character described, Y

adapted tohold said paWl in its locking position.

. 5 yIn a device of the character described,

ueans for supporting the stamps, rollers loeeen which said stamps are adapted to be ffedz'shafts upon Whlch said rollers are mounted, gears' ateach end of one of said. shafts, a ygear on the other shaft meshino `said spur Wheel, a plunger, a spring actuated' dog on said plunger adapted to contact with said pawl and to hold t e same in such position that Ithe nose there f en ages with one 'of the spurs on said spur Whe,V 'on its return movement, after the 'plunger 'has been'depressed, being adapted to en age and said dog With one of the spurs on said spur AWhee 1n order to rotate the gear and with it the rollers @time in order that the next succeeding stamp will be fed' into properrposition for cutting.

6. @in a device or the character described, a reel upon which the strip of stamps is mounted, a casing surrounding said reel, a removable cap adapted to lee locked in posi-y tion, a plunger, a knife carried by said plunger, a stationary knife With which said movable knife is ada ted to coact, means situated between sai reel and said knives which are adapted to be actuated by the movement of said plunger for feeding a stamp to its proper position with respect to said knives', in order that the Said stamps can be severed from the strip, and a moistening device consisting of a rece tacle having an opening only in its lower We and a sponge in said opening.

L FRANK L. JENNINGS.

f lliitnessee:

JOHN A. WnaDnRsI-IEIM, C. D. MCVAY. 

